League of American Bicyclists cites Memphis' efforts for cycling

Alx Collins makes her way to Burke's Book Store in the Cooper-Young area of Midtown on Wednesday. Memphis is gradually creating a bike-friendly reputation.

Memphis has received an honorable mention as a "Bicycle Friendly Community" by the League of American Bicyclists.

The honor is all the more noteworthy considering that just last year and in 2008 Bicycling magazine named Memphis among the worst cities in the nation for cycling.

Since then, Mayor A C Wharton has elevated the issue by naming a bicycle/pedestrian coordinator for the city, and pledging to create 55 miles of new bike facilities by July 2012.

So far, the city has established 30 new miles of bike facilities on North Watkins, Chelsea, South Parkway, Front, McLemore, Southern, Horn Lake, Trinity, Knight Arnold, Semmes, Wells Station, Airways and North Highland.

Also, the Memphis cycling community has been energized by last fall's opening of the Shelby Farms Greenline, a rails-to-trail path connecting East Memphis to Shelby Farms Park.

"The League congratulates Memphis and all of our BFC winners for implementing successful, long-term bicycle plans and programs that provide quality of life improvements for their citizens," league president Andy Clarke said. "Even in tough economic times it is clear that cities are choosing investment in bicycling as a key to building the places people want to live, work and visit."

Memphis is one of 190 cities in 46 states to be honored by the league.

"Being awarded an honorable mention reinforces that the efforts currently underway are truly making a difference," Wharton said in a prepared statement. "While we still have a long way to go, we have shown that, even with limited resources, we can have a large impact on public health, economic vitality, and the livability of our city through cycling."

The league also recognized Memphis City Hall as a "Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Business."

The city of Memphis encourages its employees to cycle to work by providing showers, lockers and changing rooms.

The city has also installed two bicycle racks outside City Hall for employees and others.